In-line replacement tool

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a tool and a method for replacing component parts used in a fluid system whose parts are made in a cartridge fashion readily adaptable to receive the tool so as to keep fluid loss and atmosphere inclusion at a minimum.

D United States Patent 1191 1111 3,707,757

Roebelen, Jr. et al. 14 1 Jan. 2, 1973 541 IN-LINE REPLACEMENT TOOL2,867,034 1/1959 Bowan ..29/213 5] Inventors: G g J koebelen, JSuffield; 32gb ..29/2l3 g ..29/157.1 R Thmas Fmslmmns Granby, 3,587,1566/1971 Sorenson ...29/l56.4 WL 0f 3,589,388 6/1971 Haneline ..29 213 x[73] Assignee: United Aircraft Corporation, East Hartford, Conn. PrimaryExaminer-Richard J. Herbst A N F d1 22 Filed: Sept. 2, 1970 and [21]Appl. No.: 68,832 [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a tool and amethod for [52] U.S.Cl ..29/213 replacing component parts used in afluid system [51] Int. Cl. ..B23p 19/04 whose parts are made in acartridge fashion readily [58] Field of Search ..29/ 157.1, 157.4, 156.4WL, adaptable to receive the tool so as to keep fluid loss 29/213, 234,434 and atmosphere inclusion at a minimum.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures3,081,792 3/l963 Hansen ..29/157.l R 2,300,914 4/1942 Flindt ..29/234IN-LINE REPLACEMENT TOOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is generallywell known, the usual method for replacing component parts of a fluid,gaseous or liquid, system is by shutting down the entire system;removing the offending assembly, subassembly, or component from thesystem; and replacing the part with a good as sembly, subassembly, orcomponent. Once reassembled the system is turned on again. Obviously,such procedures require the necessary time to remove the assembly,subassembly, or component part to be replaced and in so doing it isgenerally the case that spillage of fluid from or leakage of air intothe system is manifested.

I have found that I can accommodate the requirement for readilyremovable component parts by designing the system with cartridge-typesleeve components which utilize radial seals. In such a system thecomponent which generally may be, but not limited thereto, shutoffvalves, three-way valves, check valves, pumps, accumulators, gasseparators, flow meters and the like is designed such that theinterconnecting lines for these units terminate in a sleeve-coveredcartridge which during normal usage is installed in a hard-plumbedhousing. Thus, all that is necessary to remove a small component, suchas a valve, is to remove the end caps, attach an empty sleeve to oneside and a sleeve containing the spare component part to the other sideof the housing and, with the use of a specially designed installationtool inserted in the sleeve, to force in the new part while rejectingthe used component into the empty sleeve. The sleeves are then removedand the caps are then replaced. In this manner the spare components arealways sealed by the sleeves of the housing and the loss fluid andincluded atmosphere is merely limited to a minute quantity of ullagecontained between the faces of the components and between the sleeve andthe housing. In a situation where a large component is to be replaced,such as a pump, heat exchanger, accumulator or the like, the end cap isremoved and an installation tool is employed to displace the usedcomponent into a self-contained sleeve. The installation tool alsoserves to seal off the housing. The used component is removed with itsself-contained sleeve and a spare component and its self-containedsleeve is substituted therefor. The spare component'is inserted into thehousing thereby rejecting the installation tool. The cap is replaced andas mentioned above, lost fluid is merely limited to a minute quantity ofullage.

While not limited thereto, this invention is particularly efficacious ina fluid system or subsystem for an outer-space vehicle. As is well knownin a gravity-less environment it is difficult for one to manipulatetools and to fasten or tie down parts. This invention contemplatesfacilitating the task of manipulating the tool and simplifies thereplacement of component parts. Additionally, not only can thecomponents be removed and replaced from the system without loss ofsignificant quantities of the contained fluid and without introducingsignificant quantities of atmospheric constituents therein, but sincethe removal method utilizes sleeve receptacles, these receptacles can becapped off so as to prevent atmospheric constituents to migrate into anyspaces or voids in the new component and prevent the escapement into theatmosphere of the contained fluid that may be trapped in these spaces orvoids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of this invention is toprovide improved means for replacing a component part of an assembly fora fluid system while limiting the spillage into the atmosphere andinclusion of atmosphere into the assembly to a minimum.

A still further object of this invention is to construct valves, pumps,accumulators and the like component parts in cartridge form, have itshousing or portion within a system constructed to complement thecartridge, and being constructed so that there is access to the fluidlines of the component.

A still further object of this invention is to provide means tofacilitate the removal of component parts in a fluid system whilemaintaining loss of and inclusion of fluidinto and out of the unit whendisassembling and replacing component parts.

A still further object of this invention is to construct valves, pumpsand other component parts in cartridge form and assemble into a fluidsystem such that there is access fore and aft of the component and toprovide removable end caps exposing the ends of said component parts andincluding a tool sized and shaped to complement the space occupied bythe component.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a tool, similarlyshaped to a component part to be replaced, sleeves adapted to receivethe replacement part and the removed part, and adapted to fit on the endof and mounted in line with the housing bore supporting the componentpart, and said sleeve adapted to receive said tool, so that insertion ofsaid tool positions the replacement part to displace the used part andthat the tool and sleeve are removable as a unitary unit.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a method forremoving component parts from a fluid system while maintaining loss offluid from and inclusion of atmosphere into said system at a minimum,where the component parts are made in a cartridge and the part to bereplaced is housed in a housing having accessible ends fore and aft ofthe component parts, and end caps adapted to seal the ends, comprisingthe steps of removing the end caps, replacing said end caps with asleeve axially aligned within the bore containing the removable part,injecting a tool sized to occupy the space in said sleeve to positionthe new component part into the bore to replace the used component part,removing said sleeve and tool and replacing said end caps.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the specificationand claims and from the accompanying drawings which illustrate anembodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are viewspartially in section and in side elevation illustrating a component partwhich may be a valve, and the sequence for replacing such componentpart.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are views partially in section and in sideelevation illustrating a component part which may be a'pump, heatexchanger, accumulator or the like and the sequences of replacing saidcomponent part.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view illustrating a typical valve internalelement utilized with the structure shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along its longitudinal axis.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring particularly to FIGS.1A, 1B, and 1C the component part generally illustrated by referencenumeral 10 is by means of radial O-seals frictionally fitted in anopened ended axial bore formed in housing 12. End caps 14 and 16threadably secured to the housing, close off the end openings in housing12 when the component is in use. A control shaft 18 extending throughend cap 16 engages an inner valve element disposed in a central boredisposed in component 10 rotating it relative to the outer casing 20.The rotating valve element disposed in outer casing or plunger 20 isshown in FIG. 3 and will be described in more detail hereinafter. As iscontemplated by the particular use of the device, flow passages disposedin housing 12 serve to conduct fluid into and out of the apertures22,24, and 26 disposed in the outer casing 20 of valve 10. As will beunderstood by one skilled in the art, the particular type of valve showndoes not constitute an important feature of this invention and it isselected to merely illustrate one of many types of valves that may beemployed utilizing the concept of this invention. It is, however,important to understand that the outer casing 20 is fitted into the boreof housing 12 and is suitably restrained by means of an anti-rotationkey 53 from rotational movement. A plurality of seals which may be inthe form of0 rings 28, 30, 34, and 36 disposed in annular grooves formedin lands of outer casing 20 serve to prevent leakage of fluid from theadjacent passages as well as the escapement of fluid through the outerend caps.

Thus, in the illustration shown, the valve is a threeway valve whichtakes fluid from the central passage 40 and conducts it through eitherpassage 42 or 44 depending on the rotation or movement of control shaft18.

When desired to remove the component and in accordance with thisinvention, the end caps 14 and 16 are removed and replaced by sleeves 48and 50; noting that sleeve 48 is connected fore of component 10 andsleeve 50 being connected aft of component 10. A replacement valveidentical to component 10 and identified as component 10' is containedin sleeve 48. An installation tool 52 sized and dimensioned to generallyconform to the configuration of the outer dimensions of the componentconsists of similarly spaced annular grooves adapted to receive radialseals similarly located to the seals disposed in the component 10 and 10is inserted at the end of sleeve 48. By pushing at the platen 54disposed on the end thereof, component l0 forces component 10 into theempty sleeve 50 as is shown in FIG. 1C. Both sleeves 48 and 50 arethereafter removed and the end caps 14 and 16 are replaced with thecontrol shaft 18 properly indexed. The sleeve 50 now housing usedcomponent 10 may be capped off so as to prevent escapement of anytrapped fluid into the atmosphere.

From the foregoing it is, therefore, obvious that the seals cooperatingwith the inner bore wall of housing 12 adjacent to the fluid passagesserve to keep the fluid from escaping out and prevent inclusion ofatmosphere therein when the component is replaced.

FIGSv 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate another embodiment employing thetechnique of this invention wherein instead of a valve the componentpart is a pump, heat exchanger, accumulator or the like which isgenerally illustrated by the blank box 60. As shown in FIG. 2A, thecomponent is illustrated in its assembled position having a cylindricalsleeve-like member 62 extending in the outer sleeve 64 suitably threadedto the housing 66. Sleeve-like member 62 may be integral with thecomponent 60 and contains the necessary fluid-conductive passages, itbeing noted that it is frictionally secured to the outer sleeve 64 bymeans of the O-seal members. The element is likewise frictionally heldin bore 68 formed in housing 66 and contains suitable passagesregistering with the various passages located in housing 66 forconducting fluid into and out of component 60 via member 62. Theparticular design of the passages obviously will depend on theparticular configuration of the unit which is being accommodated. Thevarious designs are deemed to be within the skill of the ordinarymechanic and, therefore, details to this aspect are not considerednecessary and for the sake of convenience and simplicity it iseliminated from the description hereof.

End cap 72 is threadably secured to the end of housing 66 and serves toseal off the end and simultaneously position element 70 relative to thevarious passages in the housing. To remove the component 60 to bereplaced by new component requires the following steps. Cap 72 isremoved and installation tool 78 is inserted therein forcing the unitrightwardly. It being noted that the 0 rings 80 mounted in suitablegrooves in installation tool 78 serve to prevent the flow of fluid inthe various passages in housing 66 from escaping as well as preventingthe inclusion of atmosphere air therein. The unit 60 together with thecylinder member 62 and element 70 all being held to the housing 66 bythe sleeve member 64 is removed therefrom and replaced by a new sleeve64, a new replacement part 60', 62, and 70. This entire unit is forcedleftwardly as shown in FIG. 2C so that element 70' lines up with thevarious cooperating passages in housing 66. Tool 68 moved leftwardlywhen the new component is replaced can be easily removed and cap 72thereupon is replaced completing the installation of the new componentpart 60.

FIGS. 3 to 7 to be described next are included herein to illustrate atypical valve that may be utilized with this invention. As shown, acylindrical valve spool element is sized and dimensioned to' fit into acentral axial bore formed in outer casing 20. Valve spool element 90 isfree to rotate by virtue of control shaft 18 therein but is suitablyrestrained from axial movement by restraining mechanism not shown, andhas disposed therein a central axial flow passage 92 communicating withradial spaced holes 94, 96, 98, and 100. It being noted that radialholes 94 and are circumferentially spaced 90 and hole 96 is in the sameaxial plane as hole 100 and hole 98 is in the same axial plane as hole94. Holes 94, 96, 98, and 100 are adapted to register with openings 22,24, and 26 in outer casing 20 except that opening 24 is actually located180 circumferentially from position shown (FIG. 1A). Thus, rotation ofele ment 90 will register hole 96 with opening 24 for conducting fluidin passage 40 to passage 92, through hole 100, opening 26 and to passage44. Ninety degrees rotation of element 90 registers hole 98 with passage40 and fluid is conducted to passage'92 through hole 94 and then topassage 42. Indexing stop (not shown) restricts total movement ofelement 90 to 90. Rotational movement of element 90 to a position 45from either flow position places the ports out of register and blocksoff all flow.

Suitable seals may be utilized to prevent leakage adjacent to holes 94,96, 98, and 100 and may take the form of a suitable seal material fittedinto recesses 102, 104, and 106. Key slot 108 is formed on end ofelement 90 to accommodate a complementary key carried by control shaft18.

What has been shown by this invention is a cartridgetype componentreadily removed by a self-sealing installation tool which ischaracterized by preventing the escapement of contained fluid and theinclusion of atmosphere into the system.. The component part beingfrictionally restrained and easily accessible facilitates the removalthereof which is of particular importance in outer-space systemmaintenance. A module of components built in this cartridge form can bedesigned to make up an entire or substantially entire system such as anenvironmental system for a spacecraft or of the portable type used byastronauts.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments shown and described herein, but that variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from the spiritor scope of this novel concept as defined by the following claims.

We claim:

1. An in-line replacement tool adapted to remove a component of a fluidflow system while minimizing the loss of fluid in the system andpreventing the inclusion of ambient including:

a housing having open ended bore accessible at both ends and having aplurality of transverse passages being upstream and downstream thereof,so that fluid flows into and out of said bore through openings in a flowcontrol member,

a removable cap closing one end of said bore,

a plunger fitting in said bore and having means therein establishingcommunication with said upstream and downstream passages,

means for replacing said plunger including a sleeve having a boretherein to accept said plunger,

means for securing said sleeve to said housing with the bores inalignment,

said in-line replacement tool sized to snugly fit in the bore of saidsleeve at the end opposite said sleeve for pushing said plunger therein,and

a plurality of circumferential seal members axially spaced on saidin-line replacement tool and the axial spacing being such that saidseals are located fore and aft of each of said transverse passages forpreventing fluid from escaping and atmosphere from ingressing into saidhousing.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tool means includes acylindrical member having its diameter and length corresponding to thediameter and length of said plunger.

3. A cartridge type of component for a fluid system, a housing having anopen ended elongated bore accessible at both ends and having a pluralityof transverse passages being upstream and downstream thereof, so thatfluid flows into and out of said bore through openings in a flow controlmember,

caps closing both ends of said bore,

said flow control member fitting in said bore and having means thereinestablishing communication with said passages, and means disposedtherein for rotating said member to control the flow through thepassages,

in-line replacement means for replacing said flow control memberincluding a first sleeve having a bore therein to accept said flowcontrol member,

means for securing said first sleeve to said housing with the bore inalignment,

a second sleeve having a bore therein for accommodating a replacementflow control member adapted to replace said flow control member, meansfor securing said second sleeve to said housing with the bores inalignment,

an in-line replacement tool fitting in said bore at the end oppositesaid second sleeve for pushing said replacement flow control memberconcomitantly with said flow control member whereby said replacementflow control fits into the bore and said first sleeve, a plurality ofcircumferential seal members axially spaced on said in-line replacementtool and the axial spacing being such that said seals are located foreand aft of each of said transverse passages for preventing fluid fromescaping and atmosphere from ingressing into said housing.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said flow control memberincludes a plurality of lands spaced between said ends of said bore andadjacent said passages.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said flow control memberincludes a plurality of radial seals fitted into annular grooves formedin said lands.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said inline replacement toolmeans includes a cylindrical member having its diameter and lengthcorresponding to the diameter and length of said flow control member.

7. An in-line replacement tool adapted to replace a plurality ofcartridge type of components in a fluid flow system without loss offluid from and inclusion of atmosphere in said system, each of saidcomponents having at least a portion thereof formed in an elongatedcylindrical member fitted into a bore formed in a housing, saidelongated'bore having a plurality of flow communicating passagestransverse of said bore and being upstream and downstream thereof, sothat fluid flows into and out of said bore through openings in saidcylindrical member, said in-line replacement tool being dimensioned tosnugly fit into said bore and be coextensive therewith, a plurality ofcircumferential seal members axially spaced on said in-line replacementtool and the axial spacement being such that said seals are located foreand aft of each of said transverse passages.

l i i i

1. An in-line replacement tool adapted to remove a component of a fluidflow system while minimizing the loss of fluid in the system andpreventing the inclusion of ambient including: a housing having openended bore accessible at both ends and having a plurality of transversepassages being upstream and downstream thereof, so that fluid flows intoand out of said bore through openings in a flow control member, aremovable cap closing one end of said bore, a plunger fitting in saidbore and having means therein establishing communication with saidupstream and downstream passages, means for replacing said plungerincluding a sleeve having a bore therein to accept said plunger, meansfor securing said sleeve to said housing with the bores in alignment,said in-line replacement tool sized to snugly fit in the bore of saidsleeve at the end opposite said sleeve for pushing said plunger therein,and a plurality of circumferential seal members axially spaced on saidin-line replacement tool and the axial spacing being such that saidseals are located fore and aft of each of said transverse passages forpreventing fluid from escaping and atmosphere from ingressing into saidhousing.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tool meansincludes a cylindrical member having its diameter and lengthcorresponding to the diameter and length of said plunger.
 3. A cartridgetype of component for a fluid system, a housing having an open endedelongated bore accessible at both ends and having a plurality oftransverse passages being upstream and downstream thereof, so that fluidflows into and out of said bore through openings in a flow controlmember, caps closing both ends of said bore, said flow control memberfitting in said bore and having means therein establishing communicationwith said passages, and means disposed therein for rotating said memberto control the flow through the passages, in-line replacement means forreplacing said flow control member including a first sleeve having abore therein to accept said flow control member, means for securing saidfirst sleeve to said housing with the bore in alignment, a second sleevehaving a bore therein for accommodating a replacement flow controlmember adapted to replace said flow control member, means for securingsaid second sleeve to said housing with the bores in alignment, anin-line replacement tool fitting in said bore at the end opposite saidsecond sleeve for pushing said replacement flow control memberconcomitantly with said flow control member whereby said replacementflow control fits into the bore and said first sleeve, a plurality ofcircumferential seal members axially spaced on said in-line replacementtool and the axial spacing being such that said seals are located foreand aft of each of said transverse passages for preventing fluid fromescaping and atmosphere from ingressing into said housing.
 4. Apparatusas claimed in claim 3 wherein said flow control member includes aplurality of lands spaced between said ends of said bore and adjacentsaid passages.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said flowcontrol member includes a plurality of radial seals fitted into annulargrooves formed in said lands.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 whereinsaid in-line replacement tool means includes a cylindrical member havingits diameter and length corresponding to the diameter and length of saidflow control member.
 7. An in-line replacement tool adapted to replace aplurality of cartridge type of components in a fluid flow system withoutloss of fluid from and inclusion of atmosphere in said system, each ofsaid components having at least a portion thereof formed in an elongatedcylindrical member fitted into a bore formed in a housing, saidelongated bore having a plurality Of flow communicating passagestransverse of said bore and being upstream and downstream thereof, sothat fluid flows into and out of said bore through openings in saidcylindrical member, said in-line replacement tool being dimensioned tosnugly fit into said bore and be coextensive therewith, a plurality ofcircumferential seal members axially spaced on said in-line replacementtool and the axial spacement being such that said seals are located foreand aft of each of said transverse passages.